What is Scratch Jr?

ScratchJr is an introductory programming language for children aged 5-7. It allows them to create interactive stories and games using graphical programming blocks. Children can make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. They can also customize characters, add their own voices and sounds, and insert photos. ScratchJr was inspired by Scratch, a popular programming language for older children. We redesigned it for younger children, considering their cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development. ScratchJr is available as a free app for iPad and Android tablets.

The Purpose of Scratch Jr

Coding, like writing, helps organize thinking and express ideas. We believe coding should be accessible to everyone. With ScratchJr, young children learn to create and express themselves with the computer. They develop problem-solving skills, design projects, and build foundational sequencing skills. ScratchJr also integrates math and language in a meaningful context, supporting early childhood numeracy and literacy. Children using ScratchJr aren’t just learning to code, they are coding to learn.

2024 Robotics Coding Challenge

(UNSW Built Environment)

From the Summer holiday to Term 1 2024, let’s enjoy coding online courses and create a coding game!

Encouraging word from A/Prof Riza Sunindijo(UNSW Built Environment)

We offer inclusive opportunities for Australian students, with a focus on girls and those in remote areas, to learn STEM, Robotics, Coding, and Construction Engineering. Our aim is to prepare the younger generation for future careers and societal changes.

We provide e-learning courses that teach students how to create coding games. These courses cater to different skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and cover topics such as AI, IoT, and Robotics.

Additionally, students can participate in Robotics and IoT challenges. (Please note that robots are required for the Robotics Challenge.)

UNSW Built Environment has received government support to provide inclusive opportunities for Australian students. This program specifically targets girls and students in remote areas, offering e-learning courses in Coding and Robotics. These courses are designed for students with varying skill levels, from beginners to advanced coding. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including AI, IoT, and Robotics. Our goal is to equip the younger generation with the necessary skills for future careers and societal changes.

Host and Sponsor:

Host: UNSW Built Environment

Support:

• Women in Construction Project at UNSW Built Environment (the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women, under the Federal Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program)
• MRT Robotics(robotclass.com.au e-learning system and Robot set)

Events Schedule:

Challenge Period: From Summer Holiday 2023 to Term 1 2024

Code and Presentation Submission Deadline: 12 Apr 2024

Competition Award Ceremony: 24 Apr 2024
(Among the students who participated in the coding challenge, outstanding students who submitted their project code will be invited to the offline award ceremony held at UNSW.)

• • 10:00 AM
    • Welcome and Presentation
    • Coding Award Ceremony
    • Sharing by a female leading game studio developer
  • 11 AM
    • Morning Tea 20
    • Construction Presentation
    • Robotics Award Ceremony
    • Sharing by Robotics Professor
    • Sharing by a female Engineer
  • 12:30 PM
    • Lunch
  • 1 PM
    • Sharing by a female construction practitioner
    • Special Construction Events

Place: UNSW

Participation Fee: $300 → $30

How to Participate

1. Select your Coding Course

– K-Y2: Scratch Junior

– Y3-Y6: Scratch, Entry

– Y7+: Scratch, Entry, Python, C++, and so on…

2. Register

3. Study

4. Submit

Submission Details:

1. Presentation video (self-introduction, game introduction, how to code)
2. Project code (share the link by pressing “Share” or send it as a compressed file via email)

Submission Email: roboticscodingchallenge@gmail.com

Coding Event Details

Theme: save the world from the dangerous zombie

Description: Zombies are spreading rapidly. To respond, we need more construction materials and safe buildings. We also need better weapons to rescue people. We must consider different methods to increase our chances of survival. In the battle against zombies, we need to improve equipment and strategies, train survivors, and strengthen cooperation. By doing so, we can defend against zombie attacks and continue efforts for humanity’s survival.

Sample presentation video from last year

Essential Elements and Components:

– Material collection: Gather various materials to construct buildings and protect people. Create weapons to save people from zombies.

– Concise Coding: When gathering materials, create variables that allow you to build higher-level structures and weapons. Use loops and conditionals effectively to write concise and efficient code. It is also a good idea to modularize frequently used code into functions.

– Good Story: Successful apps and games must have engaging stories that capture people’s interest. Additionally, games should be challenging enough to provide a sense of accomplishment, without being too difficult or too easy to enjoy.

– Creativity: It is great to learn ideas and coding skills by looking at other one’s good code, but instead of copying it directly, try coding it again with your own code. Also, try drawing characters using the drawing function yourself.

– Creativity: Deduction for copying other works.

– Code: Presence of unnecessary code, absence of duplication, simplicity, and logic.

– AI (Artificial Intelligence, Entry Only): If you create a game using the machine learning model below in Entry AI Blocks, you will receive bonus points.Evaluation Criteria: Score from 1- 5 for the following items:

What we did last year

2023 Robotics Coding Challenge Summary Video